The Indianapolis Colts are facing a make-or-break season in 2026 for many involved in the organization. Many national pundits don't give Indy much of a chance of success. You know what that means? Nothing.
The truth will be learned on the field, and non-Colts fans appear to forget that before injuries took a brutal toll, the team was 7-1. Not that Indianapolis should be expected to get to 14-3, but they barely missed the playoffs last season even while falling completely apart in the second half of the season.
But more truths could be learned in the preseason, beginning with Thursday's game against the New England Patriots. Mostly, if not all, the game will feature backups versus backups, but lessons can still be gleaned.
4 questions the Indianapolis Colts hope to have answered against the Patriots
Can Anthony Richardson make the Indianapolis Colts offense look efficient?
Richardson isn't battling for the starting quarterback spot, of course. That spot belongs to Daniel Jones. But AR5 could earn the QB2 spot, and if Jones gets injured again, Richardson would be the new QB1.
So far in his career, he hasn't earned that kind of trust. In 2026 training camp, he hasn't been much better. What if he changes the narrative beginning against the Pats? If that happens, the quarterback might not only cement his spot on the depth chart, but he could draw the attention of a prospective suitor who wants to trade for the player who hasn't rescinded his trade request.
Will Seth McGowan continue his rise up the RB depth chart?
As with the quarterback position, Indianapolis has a true starter at running back. That is, obviously, Jonathan Taylor, but what if Taylor needs a rest during the regular season or, worse, gets hurt? Who is going to stand in for him?
Entering training camp, DJ Giddens might have been assumed to be RB2, but rookie McGowan has been better in practice. If he outperforms Giddens against the Patriots and then in preseason Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons, McGowan could find himself entrenched for years as Taylor's backup.
Can Blake Grupe put the kicking spot to bed?
Entering preseason Week 1, the kicking competition hasn't been extremely close, even as the Indianapolis Colts try to tell fans that it is. Grupe has made 30 of 34 field goal attempts, and Spencer Shrader has made 23 of 34. That is as big a difference as one will find in a roster battle.
Grupe also has shown he can consistently make long field goals, while Shrader hasn't. But what if all goes wrong against New England for Grupe? Shrader could stay in the competition and steal the job. Ultimately, that would likely prove to be a massive error by the Colts.
Will Caden Curry or George Gumbs Jr. make an impact even against backups?
Indy's depth at edge rusher is iffy at best. Laiatu Latu is a quality starter, and Arden Key has been solid during his career, though never spectacular. After those two, a deep depth of unknown exists.
This means that 2026 late-round selections Caden Curry and George Gumbs Jr. could find their way to meaningful snaps during the 2026 season. Curry is the hometown product and therefore a fit as a fan favorite. Gumbs is raw, but with good athleticism. Maybe both will turn out to be good.
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